League Two sack race: Bizarre situation explained as EFL stalwarts consider change
Michael Appleton and Scott Lindsey are among the favourites to be sacked next in League Two amid the threat of relegation.
Bristol Rovers dismissed Darrell Clarke in December, and enjoyed a first League Two win since September after appointing Steve Evans.
The Gas are the latest club to make the switch in League Two, following several other clubs who were having rotten seasons.
Darren Ferguson was in the running for the Barrow job after they sacked Andy Whing, but Paul Gallagher was eventually appointed.
Newport County hired David Hughes in May, but the 47-year-old has now been replaced by Premier League-winning defender Christian Fuchs.
Why League Two’s bottom club will not make sack decision
One looking at League Two would immediately point to Harrogate Town, who sit at the foot of the table, and wonder why a managerial change has not been made there.
A unique situation exists at The Exercise Stadium, however. Manager Simon Weaver was initially appointed as a player-manager in 2009.
His father, Irving, bought and became chairman of the Sulphurites in 2011, and the pair have remained in charge ever since.
To imply that Weaver is simply in charge due to his dad’s position, however, would be plainly unfair and untrue.
The 48-year-old has guided his side through over 800 games, and is currently overseeing their sixth consecutive season in League Two after taking them from the sixth tier – National League North.
Weaver is the longest-serving manager in the English Football League, holding a seven-year advantage over Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, and his position is not under threat.
The same cannot be said of Scott Lindsey and Michael Appleton, however.
Crawley Town and Shrewsbury Town consider change
Lindsey was rehired by Crawley Town in March, but the 53-year-old has failed to drag his former club out of trouble.
The Reds are without a win in any of their last 10 consecutive League Two fixtures, and hold only a two-point gap to the relegation zone.
| League Two – relegation battle | Points | Goal difference |
| 20. Bristol Rovers | 21 | -23 |
| 21. Crawley Town | 19 | -17 |
| 22. Shrewsbury Town | 19 | -20 |
| 23. Newport County | 17 | -19 |
| 24. Harrogate Town | 17 | -21 |
Appleton’s Shrewsbury Town find themselves in a very similar position, only below Crawley on goal difference.
They are without a win across their last eight League Two fixtures, and are in serious threat of the drop.
Given the managerial change at Newport below them, both teams will likely consider making switches of their own in the coming weeks.